What's Inside: Tide Pods
That squishy, swirly pocket of goo looks delicious, but we promise you pressure-packed soap is not tasty.
- 01
Fatty Acid Salts
Otherwise known as soap. It works by attaching its hydrocarbon chain to the grease or oil in a clothing stain, allowing both to be washed away by water. - 02
Polyvinyl Alcohol
This stuff forms the film that holds the rest of the ingredients in a jolly, candylike form.
- 03
Denatonium Benzoate
The bitterest known substance was added in 2015 to strengthen the outer layer and discourage kids from eating pods. (We all know how that worked out.) - 04
Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetate, Sodium Salt
Say that five times fast. This molecule softens your wash water, which enables enzymes to work more effectively.
- 05
Calcium Formate
Enzymes will devour each other over time or become denatured when exposed to heat, but this substance is added to ensure they’re still around when you need them. - 06
Mannanase
This enzyme breaks apart guar gum, a thickener used in ice cream and salad dressing that can leave behind hard-to-remove stains.
- 07
Disodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate
DDD (or "triple D," if you’re a hey-fellow-kids kind of scientist) absorbs ultraviolet light and emits it in the visible range, providing a faint blue glow that counteracts the natural yellowing of old clothes. - 08
Subtilisin
All the dead skin cells you leave on your clothes are toast because of this protein enzyme, which breaks down your bodily grime.
- 09
Alcoholethoxy Sulfate
As with soap, one end of the molecule binds to grease and dirt that’s stuck to your clothes; the other binds to water molecules in the washing machine. Agitation helps lift the stain off fabric and down the drain. - 10
Amylase
These enzymes attack starch-based stain like those from gravy and baby food. So next time you spill mashed potatoes on your shirt, you know you’re covered.
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